Saturday, May 13, 2017

free online writing course from University of Iowa

I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE FOLLOWING, BUT IT MAY INTEREST YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW.

 

The University of Iowa’s IWP (International Writing Program) course begins Monday.

On May 15 at 12 pm CDT, we will open our first free online writing course:

Power of the Pen: Identities and Social Issues in Fiction and Nonfiction!

We are so excited to get started, and we hope you'll join us!

 

            Study and write fiction and nonfiction.

Explore and discuss the social issues that matter to you.

Work with a dedicated team of instructors.

Learn from international authors.

Build new friendships with writers around the world.

 

            If you are studying English, creative writing offers an exciting way to practice and expand your skills. Your classmates in the course are from countries all over the world, and your instructors are ready to support your progress!

            Please share this with your friends, colleagues, students, and classmates. Everyone is welcome! We hope to see you on Monday! More information at https://app.novoed.com/fiction-and-nonfiction-2017

 

Questions? Email us at distancelearning.iwp@gmail.com.

 

Friday, May 12, 2017

how to write suspense

Good article here by Bryn Chancellor: http://tinyurl.com/lh9yoov .

active versus passive voice

Some writers use passive voice when active voice would be stronger. Example:

-The horse was ridden by him. PASSIVE

-He rode the horse. ACTIVE

Some are confused about what passive voice and active voice actually are. Here’s an excellent article on the topic. (It’s from The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.) http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/passive-voice/ .

 

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Surrey International Writers’ Conference: 25th Annual SiWC!

From conference coordinator Kathy:

Hello!

25 years! Can you believe it? #SiWC17, coming up this October 20-22, with master classes and intensives on the 19th, marks the 25th annual Surrey International Writers' Conference. I'm excited to be bringing you the first newsletter of this milestone year. 

It means the world to us to continue the legacy started by Ed Griffin with a handful of helpers (our own Betty White of the North, Carol Monaghan, among them) and a small group of attendees in a borrowed school classroom. So you know we couldn't let this anniversary go by without a few special happenings.

First up, we have a brand new website, which is going up even as I write this newsletter. Along with all the content you're used to, we're excited to finally have a dedicated photo gallery for pictures of past years. And we know you'll be as thrilled as we are to know the new site is fully responsive. No more struggling with checking us out on your smart phone or tablet. No matter the screen size, the site will work for you. Check it out at www.siwc.ca

Also up at the new website is this year's presenter roster. We are SO excited about the people who are coming to teach, listen to your pitches, and spend their time with us this year. We hope you will be, too. 

Among the notable things at this year's conference are an unprecedented number of master classes and intensives and more workshops and panels than ever before. But don't worry: some things at SiWC never change. We'll never charge you for pitch or blue pencil appointments. And along with offering the best conference we can, we always strive to make everyone feel at home.

Whether you're a first-timer looking for a warm, welcoming place to dip your toes in a conference pool for the first time or a seasoned veteran eager for inspiration and professional development, SiWC has something for you. 

Registration for this year's conference opens at noon on Wednesday, June 7, so mark your calendars! Last year, we were halfway sold out by the end of the first day and entirely sold out by partway through the summer, so don't procrastinate.

Our annual writing contest is already open, with a $1000 first prize, and stories judged by none other than Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte. 

We have two different scholarships on offer again this year: the Tan Seagull Young Writers' Scholarship and the SiWC Diversity Scholarship. Check them out on our website and get your applications in! 

We'll be posting more information about this year's conference over the coming weeks. You can keep up with SiWC news on our website, our twitter feed (@siwctweets), and on our Facebook page. If you've been to the conference before, you're welcome to join our private Facebook alumni group for year-round community and encouragement. If you haven't been to SiWC before and would like to be a part of that group, all you have to do is attend this year's conference!

And make sure you stay tuned for a very exciting announcement, coming very soon.

Kathy Chung

SiWC Conference Coordinator
www.siwc.ca
@siwctweets

 

 

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

how much to charge for your e-book

You’ve jumped through the hoops & created an e-book. How much should you charge for it? Some ideas in this article: http://tinyurl.com/l77uf5a .

 

Monday, May 1, 2017

Festival of the Book 2017 in Fort Langley

 

 

 

Join us for the Fourth Annual Festival of the Book

 

New This Year

Prime Location

·        Adjacent to the main entrance to the Fort 

Writing Contest

·        Give us your thoughts on a Canada Day theme in two paragraphs or less

·        1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes awarded 

·        Winners will be announced at 3 pm

Children's Programming

·        Face-painting

·        Story time in the gazebo 

 

Saturday, July 1, 2017 from 10 am - 3 pm

Over 10,000 people routinely attend Canada Day ceremonies at Fort Langley. As an affiliated event, Festival of the Book is well attended by both local and regional readers and writers. This is a rare opportunity for independent authors to connect with new audiences. 

Registration fees for this year's event remain unchanged - $35 for a six-foot table and two chairs plus a half-page listing in the event catalogue. Full-page catalogue listings  are available for an additional $10. Authors are encouraged to bring their own table linens and display material. While we hope to enjoy the beautiful weather that has graced this event in prior years, this is a rain-or-shine event. Sun/rain protection is recommended. 

Site access will be available at 9 am and designated parking is provided. During the Festival, authors will be expected to manage their own sales and will retain 100% of the proceeds.  

Space is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes June 16. 

Help us support independent publishing in Canada

 

Tidewater Festivals for Independent Authors

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YesterCanada and Consider the Sunflowers at Chapters Kamloops bookstore

I sure enjoyed meeting people & signing copies of my books YesterCanada and Consider the Sunflowers at Chapters Kamloops bookstore last Saturday, April 29, 2017. Thanks to Peter Pagnotta for arranging the event.